The hole was large enough to let
a man through, and there was nothing for us to do but to crawl out
one after the other and drop down a few feet into the yard. This
yard was surrounded by a board fence that could be easily
surmounted. I intended to take the lead, after taking off my irons
(which I had learned to do, and indeed, did every day, putting them
on only when I was liable to be "inspected") and after leaving these
irons at the Deputy's door, I intended to put myself on the Jersey
side of the river as speedily as possible.
Liberty was within reach of every man in that room, and the night
was set for the escape. But one of the crowd turned traitor, and,
under pretence, of speaking to the Deputy about some matter, managed
to be called out of the room and disclosed the whole. The man was
waiting transportation to prison to serve out a sentence of ten
years, and, with the chance of escape before him, it seemed singular
that he should reveal a plan which promised to give him liberty; but
probably he feared a failure; or that he might be recaptured and his
prison sentence increased; while on the other hand by disclosing the
plot he could curry favor enough to get his term reduced, and
perhaps he might gain a pardon. Any how, he betrayed us. The Deputy
came in and found the stone in the condition described, and
forthwith we were all removed to the dungeon, or dark room, and kept
there on bread and water for twelve days. We heard afterwards that
our betrayer did get five years less than his original sentence for
subjecting his comrades in misery to twelve days of almost
indescribable suffering.
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